It may be a tad premature to sound the death knell for the Nashville Predators, but it isn't a stretch to say that, as of Wednesday, they have one foot out of Tennessee.
With the clock ticking down to an Oct. 31 deadline, the local group interested in buying the Predators is involved in a tug of war with the city on how long the team will commit to staying in Nashville. The mayor wants a five-year promise before any arena lease deal is signed.
At first glance, it seems next week's deadline with owner Craig Leipold will almost certainly pass. If the deadline isn't met, Leipold will be free to sell to the highest bidder, and it won't be in Music City.
Good riddance, Nashville.
I'm trying to justify anyone demanding guarantees when it comes to the Predators. Despite an off-season that saw Leipold put a gun to the heads of Nashville fans, the Preds still lag behind most of the league in one key metric. They are in 23rd spot when it comes to attendance.
Clearly, outside of a few thousand faithful, Nashville could care less if the NHL stays in town.
Warm up the moving trucks.
It doesn't matter if you believe the Predators will move east or west but, without a doubt, Jim Balsillie, once again circling in the NHL's pond, has to be sensing blood.
Last week, Balsillie made it clear he has serious interest in getting back in the Preds sweepstakes but, this time, is adamant about keeping them in Nashville. What he forgot to add were the words "for a year or two, anyway."
Considering the price Balsillie was willing to pay a few months ago, Gary Bettman and the league owners should take the golden handshake and let Balsillie do whatever he wants.
Whatever the case, Leipold is just a few days away from putting the Predators back on the block to the highest bidder, at which time you can cue a sad country tune and call in the priest.
It will be last rites for hockey in Tennessee.